are nurses allowed to insert urinary catheter without doctors order?

Answer 1

In a strictest sense and standards of practice, the physician orders the catheter and a registered nurse performs the procedure and provides patient education.

However, there are some conditions and settings that would allow nurses to perform urinary catheterization without doctors orders. In nursing homes for instance, it is procedure routinely performed by a registered nurse or those who are trained. Independent licensed nurse practitioners may also do it without doctors orders.The nurses however must have a keen judgement and know when to refer to a doctor (say if the patient seem to have some anomalies and the procedure is not going smoothly for example). When doing on their own, they also take full responsibility on their action.

Answer 2

Basically, no. But some doctor may have told the nurse to cath the patient if it is needed. You can never be sure if this nurse has been told to do this unless you ask the doctor. Also, the doctor may say he had told her when in fact he did not especially if it got good results. Nurses usually know what the doctor would suggest or would want and a doctor will agree with her decision.

Answer 3

Technically, nurses are supposed to get orders for nearly everything. I work on an ICU, and a lot of the time, you don't have time to wait for an order. Deciding to insert a cath is a small decision compared to many we have to make. I have found that if you work in a teaching institution, you are much more likely to have a resident around for orders, so you can be less independent.

Answer 4

family doctor's experience

No, you shouldn't do anything without a doctor approval

doubting you are a real nurse, because this is a basic principle of medical practice and one that is understood by all nurses i know

Answer 5

NO NO NO unless they where told to by a doctor . I am a RN i know

Answer 6

no they cant do anything invasive without confirmation.